RNS Morning Report: California congregations vow to help neighbors even as their buildings are lost to fires

Top Stories California congregations vow to help neighbors even as their buildings are lost to fires (RNS) — A synagogue, a mosque, a Catholic parish and at least 7 Protestant churches are among the buildings destroyed by the wildfires raging in California.   Luce, the Vatican’s anime-style Jubilee mascot, has taken on a meme life of her own (RNS) — Luce, or ‘light’ in Italian, is designed to engage with youth throughout the Holy Year.   Pope Francis calls for a ‘diplomacy of truth’ to counter wars, fake news VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The pope pointed to the assassination attempt against Donald Trump as an example of growing polarization and mistrust.   At state funeral, Jimmy Carter’s life celebrated as a ‘miracle’ WASHINGTON (RNS) — In his eulogy, Biden said Carter’s faith overlapped with broadly held American ideals such as the idea that ‘we all are created equal in the image of God.’   RNS Opinion Can a good man be president? (RNS) — Maybe this is a lesson of the Carter administration, that true Christianity often finds itself drawn away from places of power and down in the muck.   God is not in the fires (RNS) — But then where do we look?   ICYMI Mike Johnson misattributed a prayer to Jefferson. The blowback could be heard at Monticello. WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘Political memes always have lives that work like a long game of historical telephone,’ wrote one historian.   Rash of charismatic Christian leaders departs Daystar amid ongoing scandal (RNS) — The Christian TV network says the departures of Lance Wallnau, Jack Graham, Jesse Duplantis and others are unrelated to the controversy involving alleged abuse cover-up. In Other News Biden cancels Italy trip in final days of his presidency to focus on federal response to LA wildfires ‘I’ve seen women suffer’: Malawi’s religious leaders fight for legal abortions   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. RNS is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend